Feeding and/or drinking column on behalf of animals

Abstract

An apparatus for feeding and providing water to animals, such as cows or goats, comprises a framework having a central axis. A plurality of reservoirs are connected to a framework in its upper aspects and feeding troughs are disposed below the reservoirs. At least one metering device for metering feed or drink or both to the feeding troughs is provided between the reservoirs and feeding troughs. Each feeding trough has a sensor for identifying an animal feeding at the feeding trough. The metering device which delivers feed or water or both to the feeding trough is controlled by a computer memory to deliver selected fodder from the reservoirs to each feeding trough in accordance for the nutritional needs of the animal which is at said trough. The control of the fodder relates both to the speed that the animal is eating and to data stored in the memory as to the nutrition needs of that animal. Vertical partitions are disposed between feeding troughs and separate same sufficiently so that the animals do not disturb each other. A magnetic separation member, which may be an electromagnet, is provided to remove any metal which may be mixed with the fodder delivered to the feeding troughs. The components of the apparatus can be connected to the framework without tools.

1. An apparatus for automatically feeding animals which comprises a circular framework disposed about a vertical axis which has on its upper aspect a storage house that contains a plurality of reservoirs, a plurality of delivering means connected to said framework below said storage house, a plurality of vertical partitions extending radially from said framework, a plurality of side-by-side feeding troughs disposed below said storage house and between individual partitions which they abut, said feeding troughs being arranged in a circle around said axis, said partitions extending sufficiently beyond said feeding troughs to provide individual side-by-side stalls arranged in a circle around said axis for each feeding trough, animal identification means operatively associated with each said feeding trough, a computer memory connected to said animal identification means wherein the nutrition needs for each animal feeding in said feeding trough are stored in said memory, weighing means operatively associated with each said feeding trough for determining the eating speed of an animal at such respective feeding trough, said reservoirs containing different feeds to provide fodder of different nutritional values, said reservoirs and said delivery means being controlled by said weighing means to deliver the amounts and types of fodder from said reservoirs to meet the nutrition needs of the animal at the feeding trough and said reservoirs respectively being substantially identical and being interconnected with said framework so that they are readily attachable and detachable therefrom at the site of the apparatus. 
   
   
     2. A column for providing at least one of feed or drink to animals, comprising:
 a central axis; 
 a plurality of substantially contiguous reservoirs fitted about and substantially surrounding said central axis; 
 a plurality of substantially abutting feeding troughs fitted about and substantially surrounding said central axis; 
 a metering device for selecting a dose of the at least one of feed or drink from at least one of the reservoirs to at least one of the feeding troughs; and 
 a weighing device to weigh the selected dose of the at least one of feed or drink delivered to the feeding trough from the reservoir, the weighing device being movable about said central axis; 
 wherein, the column includes a framework positioned substantially around said central axis and connected thereto; and further 
 wherein, the number of feeding troughs is substantially based on the maximum ratio of the occupied surface area of the animals when disposed in a close side-by-side position around said central axis. 
 
   
   
     3. A column for providing at least one of feed or drink to animals, comprising:
 a central axis; 
 a storage house comprising a plurality of substantially contiguous reservoirs fitted about and substantially surrounding said central axis; 
 a plurality of substantially abutting feeding troughs fitted about and substantially surrounding said central axis; 
 a metering device for selecting a dose of the at least one of feed or drink from at least one of the reservoirs to at least one of the feeding troughs and operationally associated with said storage house; 
 a mixing means for mixing material in said storage house; 
 wherein the column includes a framework positioned substantially around said central axis and connected thereto; and 
 wherein, the number of feeding troughs is substantially based on the maximum ratio of the occupied surface area of the animals when disposed in a close side-by-side position around said central axis. 
 
   
   
     4. A column for providing at least one of feed or drink to animals, comprising:
 a central axis; 
 a plurality of substantially contiguous reservoirs fitted about and substantially surrounding said central axis; 
 a plurality of substantially abutting feeding troughs fitted about and substantially surrounding said central axis; 
 a metering device for selecting a dose of the at least one of feed or drink from at least one of the reservoirs to at least one of the feeding troughs; and 
 a separation means for removing materials unfit for consumption by the animals from the feed delivered to said troughs from said reservoirs; 
 wherein, the column includes a framework positioned substantially around said central axis and connected thereto; and further 
 wherein, the number of feeding troughs is substantially based on the maximum ratio of the occupied surface area of the animals when disposed in a close side-by-side position around said central axis. 
 
   
   
     5. A column in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said separation means comprises at least one magnet. 
   
   
     6. A column in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein said magnet is an electromagnet.